Friday, 30 December 2011

A lady called Cristina (youtube: missmolles) contacted me on youtube and ask for a swap. Basically she asked for false lashes and other Asian items - and because I have never done a beauty swap with Italian products - of course I said "YES"!

It took nearly 3 weeks for our parcels to reach the other side. But it's definitely worth it! I got tons of everything - from skin care to make up, nails to hair brush, even a whitening tooth paste!

Technically on the last Friday of 2011 my package arrived at Veronica - She kindly sent me some pics of her with the gifts and here they are! I may hold a Chinese new year giveaway around late January - keep an eye out for that!!

Wednesday, 28 December 2011

(warning - long post and pic heavy) A while ago, my Alma Mater celebrated its 100th anniversary with a centennial banquet. My parents and I were alumni and invited by a relative, who sponsored our table, etc. The dress code was 'Lounge suit/Dash of green' because of our school colour. Peronally I'm not a fan of green and after turning my wardrobe upside down, I decided to go safe and wear black - with a dash of green stockings.

FYI, for non-frequent bloggers, OOTD means outfit of the day, FOTD is face of the day and NOTD - you know it, don't you?

Thursday, 22 December 2011

Last time it was Cupcake, this time it is Catastrophe Cosmetics. Overall I'm satisfied with the 2 fresh masks that I've tried, although I don't think they are 'a must' in my routine. Personally I'm fine with other masks which have longer (fridge)-life and better consistency. Apparently, my biggest complain with the fresh mask are their short life-span and the fact that they are just another mask.

Wednesday, 21 December 2011

Don't ask me why, I just craved in and got myself 2 lots of fyrinnae shadows. Most of them are not yet even swatched. Just to show you the 1st hand pictures here. Below are 2 different orders, in each order I bought one full size, the rest are all sample size.

Monday, 19 December 2011

Last month there was this 20% off benefitcosmetics dot com and free shipping for over USD125. I joint-ordered with a friend and got some things that I have wanted for a while. It was a great deal and I love everything I got! *hey we know that's not always true*

The Cle de Peau (Beaute) products require individual reviews. I like them but I feel like they deserve some in-depth talk, especially when they cost so much! (the night moisturiser, 'gentle nourishing emulsion' costs hk$1200 - that's more than us$125!)

I'm really following this routine of layering serums: Anti-aging that works in deeper layer of skin -- Whitening that works in the middle layer -- Moisturising that acts on the surface. This order/routine seems to work pretty well!

I have used up quite a bit of skin care and body/hair stuff. But I'm saving them for the end of this month for a longer more sophisticated 'empties' post. In this post I'm just gonna (confess) show a few newly acquired skin care - because I'm bad and I can't keep the 'ban'...

Bioderma Sensibio Micelle Solution (cleansing water) - I have used a few bottles of this in the past. It is good but not 'holy grail'. I just want to give this another try because the raves about this on the internet is un-limited. I guess there's no harm to give this another chance, especially now that it's on sale. *about US$14*

JimmBenny Cleansing Milk - Yes I don't need anymore cleanser nor cleansing milk. I went to a Choi Fung store and I had to pick up something, you can read that shopping trip (HERE) and Yes, I'm not counting the sheet masks and free samples.

Korres (from ASOS) - I got their Christmas sets (for myself - bad I know but no one in my family are keen ) and inside there's these two sample sizes, I paid for them so I'm gonna count them. Korres seem to be so promising and good for skin, so I hope these little tubes can impress me! *how possible is that?*

Saturday, 17 December 2011

Update: I just realise it's already 10004 views... so if no one email me within 24 hours (that lucky guy could have missed it?) I'm gonna just cancel :P

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I have a feeling the 10,000th page view is about time to occur. So if anyone realise she/he is that lucky guy, please print the screen and email me that at jacqlibra@gmail.com. I will send you a little present.

Friday, 16 December 2011

You may notice two old friends here. E45 Lipcare and EOS Honeydew Lipbalm. The rest are 'rediscovered disappointing items', let me talk about them and how I'm gonna get rid of them.

First of all, I didn't realise until now, that my photo-editor kind of distort the ratio of these making them shortened - won't use this frame next time :S

Anyway, let me begin with the toner.

L'Occitane Rice Purifying Rice Toner
(Quote from bottle:) "This bi-phase toner leaves skin fresh and perfectly clear. Shake well before use. Apply morning and evening wiht a cotton pad on cleansed face and neck. Avoid the eye area."
To me this is like alcohol. I don't have oily skin to begin with, so perhaps this is not designed for me. I kept this in my washroom cupboard for a while, but seriously, I think they could make labels with better paper that doesn't wrinkle up like this.Going to: Trash bin.

The ingredient list for who-ever interested, click to enlarge if you wish.

E45 Lipcare

Talked about this HERE. I have an updated description for this stick - it is candle-like. Imagine how hard and drying it feels on your lips!

Going to: Trash bin.

Labello Soft Rose

Cheap, smells good, leaves a soft pink tint on lips; but not moisturizing enough. I am not hating this but I remember it was good stuff when I was using the previous tube. Maybe I am spoilt by all the other better balms now.

Going to: My sister.

EOS Honeydew
Talked about this HERE. I have continued to use this since I previously written about it. The more I use, I more I feel this doesn't live up to its hype.. Like the concept, not the real delivery of this balm.

Going to: Trash bin.

Bonne Bell Rolly Lip Smacker - Coca Cola (no close-up pic)

I had this for a while. Bought this purely because I love the evil toxic coca cola drink. This lip oil/gloss thing is fun. Smells like cola candy. But doesn't hydrate nor save cracked lips.

Going to: My sister.

◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇ ◆ ◇

I realise it is not the most hygenic thing to give away lip products but, me and my sisters share everything. Don't know if you guys like these kind of post, but I want to share things that I spent $$ on and didn't make me happy - perhaps this make me feel the money wasn't wasted - at least I blogged about them... and blogging makes me happy...

Thursday, 15 December 2011

So I went on shopping for a swap and I bought what I wanted, plus many more! I haven't opened everything yet as I am on my way to clearing out old stuff before starting new ones - then why buy? So if you want to see review/swatch on anything, tell me in the comments!

Dolly Wink Mascara and Eyeliner Special Edition Sets - Sam ask for Dolly Wink liquid eyeliner and when I saw these special sets, I have to get them. The problem now is, I don't know which set to send her - maybe I should keep both?? LOL **the purple is volumizing mascara, hot pink is lengthening mascara, both liquid eyeliner are same**

Canmake Shading Powder, Diamond Lash - My friend Jas asked me to help her get a shading powder in #01 after trying out mine, so I got myself a back-up. FYI, #01 is a really great neutral shade for pale to light/medium Asian colour. The diamond lash are rather popular amongst the Japanese and some Asian beauty blogs so I craved a few styles when I spotted them in SASA. They aren't cheap (about US$13.5 for 5 pairs) so hopefully they live up to their hype! **hot pink box = gorgeous, purple = natural (bottom)**

Kate Mineral Loose Foundation, Gel Eyebrow brush and More Diamond Lash - There is this stunning leopard bag organizer gift-with-purchase with Kate products so I had to get myself some Kate. Never tried their mineral line so I started with the loose foundation (Colour in OC-B, about US$15.5 for 10g). More Diamond Lashes because 2 styles aren't enough **Left one = cats, right hand side = angel**

Za Skin Beauty Two-way Foundation - I got this already and I love it. Za is the sub-brand of Shiseido. A moisturizing and smooth powder, not cake-y but gives good coverage. It is decently priced and they make really cute limited edition cases! **I use shade #21** (you can see the one I am using HERE)

Tsubaki Water - I got both of them in the travel sizes because I want to give them a try (and finish them off) before comitting to a full size one. **Note: space is limited and if my mum charge me land rent for my junk, I'll be bank-rupt** These are hair conditioning spray or leave-in conditioner. I am using the white one one and like it. **Red - mist with tsubaki oil EX (to make normal hair shine) and White - Damage Care mist with tsubaki amino (for damaged hair)**

luckytrendy Multi Foundation Brush - because I'm loving my current one I need to get a back up of this! it is so soft and so handy. The short length of its bristles give me very good control of what I'm doing, whether it's applying foundation or buffing on powder!

Wednesday, 14 December 2011

Please excuse this so-belated post. I wasn't in the best health in Nov and work has been crazy since December's arrival. Anyway, let's keep up with the good spirit and review the best stuff of the past month.

Mascara Combo - Majolica Majorca mascara base and Maybelline Colossal Waterproof UK version. See how the Maybelline perform on its own HERE.
These together give me real false-lash-effect. And they are very
long-wearing, no flakes, no smudge, no nothing. Adorable on their own
and perfect togther. *note: they are more on the lengthening side, not volumizing*

Korean Shampoo - the
purple ones are from the brand 呂 (sorry no English name) and the blue set is from Esthaar. Both sets work
very well but the smell and texture of the purple one is divine. Sounds
ridiculous but I really wish I had hauled back more from Korea! :P

♣ ♧♣ ♧♣ ♧♣ ♧♣ ♧♣ ♧♣ ♧♣ ♧♣ ♧♣

More Random In and Out:

In:

Traveling - Been on a short weekend trip to Taichung and that was wonderful.

Taiwan Food - Bubble tea is my drug. Indeed!

Buying Skin Care - Taiwan drugstore (and Naruko website) has a great selection of skin care - LOVE. Sneak-peek HERE. If you want a haul/first-impression review on thoes things, just tell me in the comments. :P

Reading - One good book is "Prayer of the Frog", I wish I can read more during the Holiday season.

Monday, 12 December 2011

Choi Fung Hong (彩豐行) is a Hong Kong company that makes beauty products under several brands, including Joseristine, Ki, CL, MaybleSally, JimmBenny, Beautiella, etc... I believe they are originally making affordable bulk size beauty supply for beauty salons - and later branch out to the ordinary retail market. It is quite popular among Chinese tourists for their super affordable and wide-range of products.

Sunday, 11 December 2011

Continuing with my cotton pad/squares review here are 2 offerings from Suzuran. Both types are available on various online sellers (check ebay or those sites that sell Asian cosmetics). I got the Attirer at Sasa store, and the Lily Bell at Aster (another beauty chainstore in Hong Kong). I believe this is one of the more well-known Japanese cotton talked about in the blog-sphere (Asian or International, whatever). Here are my 2 cents~*

★
☆ ✮ ✯★
☆ ✮ ✯★
☆ ✮ ✯★
☆ ✮ ✯★
☆

Suzuran Lily Bell Lilian Puff

Pros:

Soft - the cotton used is nice, the texture is really soft and feels comfy when rub agains skin - despite the surface > see point 2!

Textured surface - as you can see in the close-up above, it has woven pattern to facilitate gentle physical exfoliation. LOVE this.

Well-built - the sides are 'sealed' tightly and on the top and bottom it is pressed, doesn't lose its shape too soon when I work with it

Cheap - about hk$10-15 for 222 pieces, definitely reasonable

Packaging - there is a thread to tie up the bag of cotton, not moisture-proof like a zip-lock but still a thoughtful design.

Cons:

Availability - so far I've only seen this in Aster stores and they aren't always in stock

Size - 5cm x 6cm is normal size but I like mine to be larger

★
☆ ✮ ✯★
☆ ✮ ✯★
☆ ✮ ✯★
☆ ✮ ✯★
☆

pic from sasa.com

Suzuran Attirer Puff

Pros:

Availability - Most Sasa stores sell these.

Soft - Soft basic cotton, perhaps even softer than Lily Bell. ;)

Cheap - Again, about hk$10-15 for 240 pieces **EVEN MORE!**

Tear-able - Each layer is still as soft and natural as the whole piece. Easy to tear too!

Cons:

Size - 5cm x 6cm: I personally wish it is larger

Loose Shape - When force is applied this can loose its shape quite quickly. You can tell from the natural fibre layers (see above!) that it is not welll-woven into a shape to endure force!

Packaging - unlike the Lily Bell, this plastic bag doesn't have any sealing design (or a tie). I'd say to keep it sanitary and dry, better use a ziplock or container to store.

★
☆ ✮ ✯★
☆ ✮ ✯★
☆ ✮ ✯★
☆ ✮ ✯★
☆

Comparison

Excuse me for the lighting, but on the left is Lily Bell and on the right is Attirer. You can see the surface of Lily Bell has some woven stitches on, while Attirer is just like plain cotton fibre.

For taking off make up, nail polish - you definitely want a little more friction to work with - help takes things off physically (the remover is just chemical, right?). Hence the Lily Bell works better.

For applying toner/emulsion, it depends on personal preference - I prefer a better grip and cotton that stays in shape, hence the Lily Bell. But if you prefer something softer and more gentle to the skin, perhaps Attirer is yours.

For doing lotion/water mask, I would say the Attirer works better because it is less pressed/sealed at the sides and the looser fibre layers allow easier tearing - which you need when you do lotion masks!

Conclusion
Unless you can't tell, I prefer Lily Bell more than Attirer. Mainly because I don't always do lotion mask and I prefer something more sturdy to hold. I'd give Lily Bell a rating of 4/5 and Attirer a 3/5.

However, I'm still on the look for better cottons! Stay tuned for the coming episodes of cotton pads review. :P